Just acquired an 85 Caprice wagon, 305. Looking for the Chevy experts in here for some help or advice on a couple of problems. The main one right now, is shes shifting out of first too quickly. I know the shift points can be adjusted on the cable, that runs from the throttle to the transmission, but i dont know how. Also i think my choke may be staying on too long, causing it to run rich and throw an engine light. How do i adjust the choke plate? Any help, or advice on these cars is greatly appreciated. I have too many cars now to take them to the shop for every little thing, so im having to learn alot of this myself now. Thanks again.
Your best course of action will be to get a shop manual or quality Motor manual or like book. I'm a Ford guy so I don't know much about Chevys but the transmission TV cable can be a tricky adjustment. The choke should be much simpler but they can be a pain as well. You also should consider looking at all the vacuum hoses and carb/throttle body for vacuum leaks as well. I'm assuming the shifting is also controled by vacuum instead of a computer and I could be wrong on that model.
I have a Chilton Manual, so I can look up some things for you. What trans and carb (engine) do you have?
Senri, thanks for the offer. This chevy has the 305 with a two barrel carb. and 4speed automatic trans. im not sure of the code name for the trans. but its a 1985 model. when i drove the car this morning home from the shop, on a cold start up it was fine. the road i drove is long, with no stops. but when i did stop and take off, it was painful. it acts as if the transmission never changes back to 1 for a take off, and is having to take off in OD. i didnt have time today to check fluids and vaccum hoses, ill try to do some of that friday morning and have an update. but im not sure if its choking, or if the trans isnt shifting.
Jase, I will look in the manual although it can take a bit of time. Today (friday) I will pick up my new car after work and tomorrow evening I will go on holiday, so not much time. I will keep you up to date, if I can't make it before the trip it will be next week, as the laptop is coming along. I assume you have a 200R4. Maybe it is the lock-up? If you pull of the wire to the trans on the side you can check this.
You guys ever looked at this list of online manuals? Might help for other stuff too. http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/repair_info/repair_guide/repair_guide.jsp
Update. Was driving the wagon around this morning just to check for more symptoms i could share. On a cold start up, she fires right up. after a short warm up, till it quits shaking a little, back out of the drive and she drives like normal. Plenty of torque in first gear. Winds out a little long before the 1-2 shift, but still ok. Same thing for a few miles, but after about 6 miles of continuous driving, stop and try to take off again. Best wishes there. Better hope no one is coming for a while because youll be in their way. After a good warm up, it seems that either its choking down on take off, or the transmission is slipping, or something with the torque converter. Once its rolling, it goes thru the gears like normal, and even will pull back and pass. Just the take off is very difficult for it. any more thoughts?
